U. S. President Donald Trump has thrown down a gauntlet to Canadian aircraft maker Bombardier, threatening to block its sales in the United States unless it shifts manufacturing operations to American soil. This salvo, fired on Monday, has ratcheted up an already tense trade standoff between the neighboring countries. And it comes just as Canada is set to slap retaliatory tariffs on $20 billion (£14.7 billion) worth of U. S. imports.
Trump took to Truth Social to make his stance clear, writing, "NO MORE SELLING BOMBARDIER IN THE UNITED STATES!" He elaborated on his demand:
If they want our Market, they must build here, and stop treating America like a 'piggybank'.
In response, Bombardier, based in Montreal, sidestepped the direct threat in a statement issued Monday. Instead, the company chose to underline its substantial contributions to the U. S. economy, emphasizing its operations that "create tens of thousands of US jobs through the company's growing American footprint."
The company pointed to its partnerships with U. S. firms and its American workforce, reaffirming its dedication to ongoing investments in its employees, clients, and communities across the country. Bombardier already runs a factory in Kansas where it produces special mission military planes, employing 3,500 American workers. It also has facilities in Texas, Arizona, Florida, Connecticut, Illinois, Delaware, California, DC, and New Jersey.
About half of Bombardier's global fleet, which numbers 5,100 aircraft, is operated by U. S.-based customers. The company's jets are crafted in Canada, the U. S., and Mexico, adhering to the North American free trade agreement, known as CUSMA in Canada and USMCA in the U. S.
This latest flare-up follows the breakdown of trade negotiations between Canada and the U. S. at the end of last month. Canada exited talks after the U. S. imposed new 50% tariffs on various Canadian goods. Prime Minister Mark Carney criticized the Trump administration for what he called "unfair" and "uneconomic" last-minute demands, denying any political motivations tied to Trump's low approval in Canada.
Bombardier is a heavyweight in the Canadian economy, contributing C$7.4 billion ($5.4 billion; £4 billion) to the country's GDP in 2024, according to a report commissioned by the company. It is also a significant player in Quebec's manufacturing industry.
Quebec Premier Christine Fréchette strongly backed Bombardier on X. She confirmed she had contacted Bombardier CEO Éric Martel to express her government's unwavering support. Fréchette also made her position on Trump's threat crystal clear:
Quebec will not allow anyone to dictate where our companies must produce in order to access a market.
How Trump plans to enforce a ban on Bombardier’s U. S. sales remains uncertain. The BBC has reached out to Prime Minister Mark Carney's office for comment.
